eFax of Life from CBMC Heartland

Kicking Satan

Let’s pretend you are in the front row – watching a puppet show. Suddenly the puppet comes forward and WHACKS you on the jaw! What do you do? Get mad at the puppet?

No! Of course not! You get mad at the puppeteer – because that’s the one controlling the puppet.

I’m glad/sad. Glad that at the age of 56 I’m finally leaving some life-principles – but – sad it has taken me so long. I’ve spent way too many years being critical/mad/confrontational with people.

Slowly – I’m beginning to realize/remember a tremendous life-principle:

“We do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12

Yesterday, I received a note from a dear friend. He’s a smart guy. C.P.A/C.F.O. for a chain of banks. He was asking that I pray for their teenage daughter who has taken a very rebellious turn. I called him last night and we talked.

(If the Bible doesn’t apply to real-life issues like this – then it’s worthless. Thankfully, it does – and he and I both want to understand and apply God’s truth – more and more.)

Having a problem with a child? A parent? A spouse? A co-worker? A neighbor? An employer? A friend? The world?

Don’t get mad at the puppet. Get mad at the puppeteer.

And here’s how you do battle.

1. Understand that we are at war. The most man can do to man is inflict physical pain and cause death. But in this spiritual war between the Holy Spirit and the unholy spirit – the eternal destinies and rewards of all mankind are at stake. “The thief (satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

2. In war – you have to choose which side you are on. In this spiritual war – mere religion does NOT work. Only a personal relationship with Christ – only by being born again (John 3:3) are you on God’s side. Only through Jesus Christ – can you stand against satan (John 14:6).

3. Understand and use our offensive and defensive weapons. “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.” 2 Cor. 10:4-6

In Viet Nam – I wore protective body armor. And from the placement of scars on my body – you can tell what was and was not protected. Putting on armor before going into battle is a BIG thing for me. As Christians – the Lord advises us to put on spiritual armor before we go to war – so every morning I pray through Ephesians 6:10-17:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and HAVING SHOD YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, TAKING UP THE SHIELD OF FAITH with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the word of God.”

Additionally – I ask the Lord to fill me with the character and evidence of His Holy Sprit which is:

“…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...” Gal. 5:22-23

And finally – I ask Him for knowledge, wisdom, discernment, and understanding – based on the admonition from James 1:5:

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

I shared these principles with my banker-friend. And I shared more. Including:

  • Why I pray out loud every morning
  • Why I talk to satan every morning
  • The difference between God’s part and my part

If you want to be successful in the on-going spiritual war – I encourage you to look for next week’s Fax of Life. There are more powerful/personal principles that may radically impact you and the lives of those around you.

CBMC Heartland, 05/17/02

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